His first operatic work was La Figurante, a five-act opéra comique to a libretto by Eugène Scribe and Jean-Henri Dupin.

[1][3][4] His contemporary, Gustave Chouquet, wrote: [Clapisson's] style is somewhat bombastic and deficient in genuine inspiration; but, in almost every one of his operas there are to be found graceful and fluent tunes, fine harmonies, pathetic passages, and characteristic effects of orchestration.

In addition to his activity as a composer, Clapisson built up a notable collection of antique musical instruments which he sold to the French government in 1861.

The collection was housed in the Paris Conservatory's museum which officially opened in 1864 with Clapisson as its first curator, a position he held until his death two years later.

[5][6] Clapisson died suddenly in Paris at the age of 57, survived by his wife Marie Catherine née Bréard and their two sons.